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Religious Tax Breaks Show Government’s Favoritism

Tax advantages to churches and religious organizations should be curtailed and brought in line with those granted to secular charitable groups. Whatever public good might stem from some religious activity, it is no greater than that accomplished by secular groups. They should be treated equally.

Special tax breaks for religious organizations are an endorsement of religion over nonreligion.

A tax benefit should be justified by public accountability. Churches should be required to notify the I.R.S. of their intent to claim church status, to pay the same filing fees and submit the onerous annual 990 form, and reporting income and expenses, like all other 501(c)(3) groups. The current law gives unfair advantages to churches, which, unlike other nonprofits, do not have to disclose their financial activities. This lack of governmental oversight and accountability opens the door to scams, crime, con artists and abuse by people working under “church status” that is much too common. These are the very abuses that the I.R.S. tax codes are intended to eliminate. “Love offerings” to a minister should be considered taxable income. The horrible massacre at Jonestown, Guyana, for example, could not have occurred had the Rev. Jim Jones been held accountable to the government while amassing his armory, drugs, wealth and control over minors.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is currently suing the federal government over the parsonage allowance, an unfair tax advantage granted to “ministers of the gospel” (including rabbis and all clergy) who are allowed to exclude housing expenses from reportable income, a favor denied to secular charitable organizations. When I worked as a minister, I happily grabbed that huge tax break, but now that I am working for freethought and atheism, I must pay my full share of taxes.

Special tax breaks for churches and religious organizations show governmental preference and are an endorsement of religion over nonreligion. They must be eliminated.